Dancing with a mouse click

WITH a shortage of affordable dance rehearsal and performance spaces in Perth, HQ Leederville is fundraising for its own studio.

Over the past three years there’s been a steady decrease in government funding for the arts and social services sector, so organisations like HQ—a youth arts hub run by the YMCA—have turned to other means of support.

Last year HQ managed to secure a $10,000 matching federal grant for their own studio, and they’re looking to raise the remaining $10,000 through crowdfunding.

HQ youth worker and former professional dancer Taciano “T” Cavalcante has been driving the project: “There’s a shortage of affordable dance spaces in Perth, with a lot of demand from young artists and performers,” he says.

“The spaces that are available are out of reach for many young people in the community, with most of these studios being strictly commercial and charging a hefty fee for hire.

“Our studio will provide a space which will be accessible to young people from all walks of life, giving them a free or heavily discounted hire fee.

“We already have a lot of interest from young WAAPA contemporary artists.

We know that by providing this space, we will take kids out of the streets and also increase our artistic diversity and cultural reach in the Leederville community.”

HQ has got a basic sprung dance floor and will use the additional $10,000 to install lights, mirrors and dance bars.

HQ’s service delivery manager Andrew Rigg says the finished space will “provide a great art hub for the young people of Leederville and Perth. We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how large or small.